Note Note XL — NOTES TO CHAPTER III.
T. G. (Thomas George) Bonney translation
The Mohammedans say that it is supported in the air by the following cause. When Mohammed died, and ascended to heaven, the sacred stone wished to follow him, but the prophet ordered it to return to its place; whilst it hesitated the angel Gabriel pressed it down (this is the reason why they show the impression of his five fingers on the rock), and then it lowered itself again; but when it was already in contact, as it were, with the ground, and received no further orders, it remained in the position in which it is now found.